"I don't know--that's the thing. He keeps his money in his pocket--and besides, I don't know how to make purses." "There are other things besides purses. How would a watch-guard do? Does he wear a watch?" "I don't know whether he does or not. He doesn't every day, I am sure; but I don't know about Sundays." "Then we won't venture upon that. You might knit him a nightcap." "A nightcap? You're joking, Alice, aren't you? I don't think a nightcap would be pretty for a Christmas present, do you?" "Well, what shall we do, Ellen?" said Alice, laughing. "I made a pocket pin-cushion for papa once when I was a little girl; but I fancy Mr. Van Brunt would not know exactly what use to make of such a convenience. I don't think you could fail to please him though, with anything you should hit upon." "I have got a dollar," said Ellen, "to buy stuff with; it came in my letter last night. If I only knew what!" Down she went on the rug again, and Alice worked in silence, while Ellen's thoughts ran over every possible and impossible article of Mr. Van Brunt's dress. "I have some nice pieces of fine linen," said Alice; "suppose I cut out a collar for him, and you can make it and stitch it, and then Margery will starch and iron it for you, all ready to give to him. How will that do? Can you stitch well enough?" "Oh yes, I guess I can," said Ellen. "Oh, thank you, dear Alice! you are the best help that ever was. Will he like that, do you think?" "I am sure he will very much." "Then that will do nicely," said Ellen, much relieved. "And now, what do you think about Nancy's Bible?" "Nothing could be better, only that I am afraid Nancy would either sell it for something else, or let it go to destruction very quickly. I never heard of her spending five minutes over a book, and the Bible, I am afraid, last of all." "But I think," said Ellen slowly, "I think she would not spoil it or sell it either if _I_ gave it to her." And she told Alice about Nancy's asking for the kiss last night. "That's the most hopeful thing I have heard about Nancy for a long time," said Alice. "We will get her the Bible by all means, my dear--a nice one--and I hope you will be able to persuade her to read it." She rose as she spoke and went to the glass door. Ellen followed her, and they looked out into the night. It was very dark. She opened the door a moment, but the wind drove the snow into their faces, and they were glad to shut it again. "It's almost as bad as the night we were out, isn't it?" said Ellen. "Not such a heavy fall of snow, I think, but it is very windy and cold. Papa will be late getting home." "I am sorry you are worried, dear Alice." "I am not _much_ worried, love. I have often known papa out late before, but this is rather a hard night for a long walk. Come, we'll try to make a good use of the time while we are waiting. Suppose you read to me while I work."